Have your songs heard by a panel of professional songwriters and other industry professionals from the Nashville music community as well as earn the chance to perform at MerleFest 2011 by entering the 19th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. In 2010, MerleFest had a total participation of 79,557 for the four days, with some 100 artists and bands that performed on one or more of the festival's thirteen stages. The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest is open to those whose primary source of income is not derived from songwriting or publishing. Submit by February 18. Website